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14 - The Oakville Beaver, Wednesday January 10, 2007 www.oakvillebeaver.com Everyone loves a visit now and again Continued from page 13 "They actually began doing some finger movements," he said. "Trying to lift their arms, making sounds, things that they haven't done in an awful long time." The dogs in the program are not professionally-trained dogs. "These are just your everyday pets," said Simpkins. Dogs are however assessed to ensure they have an appropriate temperament to interact with seniors as well as other cats and dogs. The pet owners are also assessed and they must stay with their dogs and cats at all times. The owners must possess the right people skills to interact with seniors and must also agree to a police record check prior to visiting. Dogs must be a minimum of one year old and all dogs participating in the program wear jackets so they are identified as working dogs. Simpkins said Parker loves visiting the seniors as much as the seniors love his visits. "As soon as Parker puts his vest on, he knows he's working," Simpkins said. Jean Holmes, a resident at Post Inn Village, enjoys Parker's visits and thinks TPOC is great. "Most people like dogs. It's just they can't have one of their own," she said, adding TPOC is the next best thing. During the visits the dogs try to "Most people like dogs. It's just they can't have one of their own." Jean Holmes Post Inn Village Living Well Pilates WINTER CLASSES BEGINNING SOON see as many seniors as possible. The duration of individual visits depends on the individual seniors. Simpkins will try to stay a little longer with the seniors who don't have regular visitors. He also encourages seniors to walk with himself and Parker to the next visit. That way the senior gets some exercise and makes social contact with other residents. Shannon Maclachlan, Life Enrichment Co-ordinator at Post Inn Village, said she has seen the difference the visits with the dogs make with residents. Maclachlan recalled one resident who was quite depressed, but perked up as soon as Parker came to visit. "It's residents like that, who really benefit a lot from it," she said. Maclachlan said most of her residents had owned a pet before coming to the facility and the visits with the TPOC dogs help the seniors reminisce about their former pets. "It's comforting. So many people love animals. They come up to you, they love you, it's totally unconditional," Maclachlan said. TPOC, aside from its visitation programs with seniors, has also established a Paws to Read program which sees therapy dogs go into classrooms and libraries in a bid to assist in improving children's reading skills. Children who experience difficulty reading to their peers have gained confidence to master the skill by reading to a pet. Dogs in the Paws to Read program must be a therapy dog for at least a year and have passed an Interaction with Children evaluation and have become "child certified" therapy dogs. The Paws to Read program has not yet arrived in Oakville, but Simpkins hopes that will change by this time next year. TPOC is a nationallyregistered charitable organization. Volunteers interested in taking part can contact Anthony Simpkins at 905842-8369, e-mail asimpkins@cogeco.ca or visit www.tpoc.ca. Dog evaluations are being held on Jan. 27 and those interested are asked to contact Simpkins. SABRINA BYRNES / OAKVILLE BEAVER HEY THERE: Bill Sellon, a resident at Post Inn Village long-term care facility, gets a visit from Parker, a Therapeutic Paws of Canada dog. SIGN UP NOW! No Membership Fees CORRECTION NOTICE Apple Computer / Laptop Hardware. Due to higher than expected sales during the holiday season we are currently experiencing an inventory shortage on Apple computer hardware chain wide. We currently have inventory scheduled to arrive in mid January. Rainchecks will be issued. We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused our valued customers. Walk for Memories The Alzheimer Society of Hamilton and Halton celebrates 25 years of service with the Manulife Walk for Memories on Sunday, Jan. 28. Throughout January, Alzheimer Awareness Month, Alzheimer Society chapters in almost 30 communities across Ontario host Walk for Memories events to raise funds for local services. The Alzheimer Society of Hamilton and Halton will host three walk locations on Jan. 28 from 9-11 a.m. The locations include: Oakville Place Shopping Centre; Mapleview Shopping Centre in Burlington and Lime Ridge Mall in Hamilton. Participants and their supporters can use an online feature at www.walkformemories.ca to register. Pledge forms are also available online by calling 905-529-7030, ext. 26 and registration can take place the day of the event. For information or to receive a Walk for Memories brochure and pledge form call 905-529-7030 or visit www.walkformemories.ca. COMMUNITY ACHIEVEMENT CELEBRATION Join United Way of Oakville as it recognizes the many donors, volunteers and organizations that help make Oakville such a great place! Mary German Reduce Reuse Recycle I have achieved my last year's goals of weight loss, increased energy and enjoyment of exercise - M.H. Wednesday, Jan. 24 The Oakville Centre for the Performing Arts Tickets: $20 6:30 p.m. - Reception 7:30 p.m. - Awards presenation A Featuring The Second City Touring Company For more information or to order tickets, contact (905) 845-5571, ext. 239 or e-mail anne-marie@uwoakville.org. FREE Job Search Help Oakville Employment Resource Centre Resumes - Interviews - Computers Faxes - Photocopying - and more Drop in at 465 Morden Road, Unit 109 No appointment necessary "Pilates For All Bodies" 905-847-0707 2251 Westoak Trails Blvd., www.livingwellpilates.com 905-845-1157, ext. 121 www.thecentre.on.ca Our Vision: A healthy caring & inclusive community. Vision: healthy, community